A shoe-maker, for example, who was charged the other day, at Union Hall, with neglecting to provide for his family. Upon the Magistrate asking him, why he neglected to maintain his children? "I have, sir," said he, "a much greater work to perform-I am instructed by God to be a Minister, and to teach men the way of salvation, through Johanna Southcote, to whom the Divine Revelation was given!" Ought such a man to be let

loose upon the public? A blasphemer, for whom

no excuse can be made, but madness. And, consequently, an object fit only to grace the pillory, or to be confined within the walls of Bethlehem.

Another of these maniacs, by trade a blacksmith, relates to the rabble enthusiastically assembled round him, when mounted in his mock pulpit-an old wooden chair; that in a fit of despair he walked forth, one day, into the thickest part of a wood in the neighbourhood, with the intention of putting an end to his miserable existence. But, just as he was about to make the fatal noose, he heard a rustling among the trees, and upon casting his eyes around, who should he see approaching but the very Devil himself; who, accosting him with all the familiarity of an old friend, offered to assist him in fixing the cord in order to hasten his exit, and then to fly off with him to his own dominions. But, "No, Mr. Devil," said he, for fear brought him instantly to his recollection, and to a sense of all the horrors that awaited him, "from this moment I renounce you

and all your works. The fiend, however, was not to be so easily repulsed; he claimed me as his lawful subject, and renewed the tender of his services, officiously taking up the cord and whispering in my ear, as he presented the instrument of death, 'Come don't be down-hearted, man, it will soon be over; one kick and you'll be there in a twinkling.' But all wouldn't do," ejaculated this inspired preacher, with a deep groan, "I heard a voice inviting me to enter the holy tabernacle and preach the Gospel to poor sinners. I was determined to obey the call, so I wrestled with the Devil in the wood, and felled him to the ground; the Spirit strengthening me as I fought, with the power of a Sampson. Thus inspired, I come, my brethren, to expound the Scriptures,' continued he, "and to shew you the way of salvation; and if you do not support me with a liberal contribution in my earnest endeavours to save your souls, you will all be d-n-d; yea, ye will be branded with infamy, and cast into perdition for ever and ever." A-men sang out the clerk. A-men fervently echoed the converted sinners. Sighs and groans resounded through the multitude; sweet music to the preacher's ear-indicative of the impression his discourse had made on his believing auditors.

A general buzz preceded the harmonious jingling of shillings and sixpences, and made his heart leap with satisfaction. A plate was handed about to receive the offerings of the affrighted,

and the donations of the ignorant rabble. A long prayer was offered up, that they might become true believers in all he taught them; and that they might increase in benevolence, charity, and hospitality to the shepherd who watched over them; and they were dismissed:-the following Thursday being announced for their meeting again. In the meantime he lives upon their credulity; breakfasting with one, dining with another, and supping with a third.

The next upon record is a dexterous itinerant, who, tired of wandering about the country on foot, impressed upon the mind of his auditors how necessary it was for him to have a horse to go about from place to place, to diffuse the Holy Spirit with which he was inspired, into the minds of unbelievers; accordingly a horse was provided for him-but he was no sooner safely seated on his back, than he found the exercise of trotting over hills and hard roads too fatiguing; and, in consequence, urged them to furnish him with a chaise. In a short time he became tired altogether of a wandering life, and thought if he had a comfortable house, with appertinents thereunto belonging, he should be able, by the placid enjoyment thereof, the more effectually to admonish his brethren to administer to the wants of others, and to be content in that state of life in which Providence had placed them. Thus did he preach himself into a comfortable living. A house was actually furnished for him, and he rides about to publish

to the world the glad tidings of peace and plenty, rather than to instil principles either of religion or morality.

66

66 "O what harm can such men do?" asks one.

They'll naturally sink away into their former nothingness," says another. "As to their preaching, it is all nonsense." Complete nonsense, we must allow; but how far these notions may be correct, in other respects, time only can ascertain. In the meanwhile, they are increasing rapidly, encroaching frightfully on the sound doctrines of the Church, bringing religion into ridicule, deluding the ignorant, and imposing on the credulous and unwary.

One of these raving fanatics, a baker six days of the week and a preacher on the seventh, having collected a great crowd about him in a country town, not a hundred miles from Brighton, was holding forth with all the vehemence of a madman, elevated as usual upon an old chair at the corner of a street; when suddenly, to the great horror and amazement of the multitude, up started a monster of the most horrific size and shape, with horns and hoofs and tail of wonderous length; and seizing upon his prey, darted off with him in an instant, in the midst of his edifying harangue, the shrieks of the women and children, the roarings of dauntless heroes, and the consternation of the whole motley crew. Some declaring the Devil had flown off with him, for his profane encroachments on the sabbath. They "heard the rattling

of his chains as he advanced, saw the flames playing around him as he was carried off, and smelt the sulphureous odour with which the air was impregnated."

Now this might pass with many for a mighty clever joke; and such it was intended to be by the person who practised it-a man from a neighbouring slaughter-house, who had enveloped himself in the hide of a bullock to personify the Devil, and frighten the preacher from breaking in upon the duties of the Church for the future. But these kind of practical jokes are alway reprehensible. This, to the ignorant and superstitious, might have been fatal in its consequences. And, religion, at all events, should not be made the theme of low ribaldry or sport. But these itinerant preachers certainly bring it into disrepute among the lower class, and subject it, by their vo ciferous and idiot rantings, to ridicule and ludicrous jestings, ill suited to the seeming piety of the times! Religion, in whatever form it may appear, should be respected. It is a subject too serious to be trifled with; and if exposed to raillery by folly and ignorance, those who disapprove should check with mildness, and endeavour, by example, to convince their neighbours they are better Christians.